Chesterfield formally announces for SD34

There are now two officially in the race to replace term-limited Sen. Tracy Steele in SD34 (part Pulaski). Former state Rep. Linda Chesterfield (D-Little Rock) made her formal announcement late last week, which was picked up by KATV (click here for the story). Chesterfield joins Hendrix professor Jay Barth (D-Little Rock) in the race. Barth announced in March, and as of the first quarter of 2009, he had raised $61,345 for the race. The only other potential candidate in this race being discussed is Rep. Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock). Williams is having to decide whether to run for this senate seat or concentrate on running for Speaker of the House, which he is widely thought to be considering. SD34 Demographics: Senate District 34 is made up of both sides of the Arkansas River in Pulaski County and takes in much of eastern Little Rock, College Station, Woodson, Wrightsville, Sweet Home, Hensley, and parts of eastern Jacksonville. The district votes heavily Democratic, and The 2000 census shows it to be 60% African American, 38% caucasian. 13% are 65 or older, and 13% are veterans. Here's a map of the district.

Linda Chesterfield Jay Barth